Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Seasonal Change Out ~ Fall Tableau


Today is the debut of a new weekly party, Before & After hosted by my friend, Kim @ Savvy Southern Style. I packed up my Halloween decor yesterday, but I've yet to put together a new centerpiece for our dining room. Kim says we can share an old or new post, so for this first week I decided to share my Fall Tableau post from last year.



With the recent rain and cooler days, there is now a hint of fall in the air. That combined with all the wonderful fall nesting going on around Blogville, I've been inspired to do a bit of fall nesting myself. I do love this time of year, but there is never a real noticeable change in seasons here in central Texas like in so many other areas of our country. So one has to provide their own touch of seasonal change around their home.



I picked up these bags of pumpkins at the grocery store last week and found the faux acorns at Hobby Lobby. I wasn't certain what I'd do with them, but decided I need to start with something to get a little fall going on in our home.



I thought I'd start with something for the dining room table. I often like to arrange a tableau on a tray so it can be easily moved if I need something different for a dinner. I decided to start with a silver tray and this beautiful pashmina that a friend brought back to me from her summer trip to Egypt.



This silver dish was an eBay purchase in a box lot of silver pieces. You can see that it is very dark with little silver left, but I rather like the look. It gives it a shabby chic look,and actually I don't think shiny silver would look as appropriate for the theme. I was charmed by the squirrel detail. This was my favorite piece in the box.



Next I pulled out a silver bride's basket. It too was an eBay find. I decided to give it a good cleaning with some silver polish, but as you can see, this too is a bit shabby chic.



With these basic pieces I now had a theme in mind. The squirrel offered an obvious link to the acorns and the shawl would guide my choice of flowers.




I found these lilies at the grocery on special for the week.



In addition to the price, I also liked that they were still tight. I know from experience that lilies open slowly, unlike many flowers. I'm having some friends over on Tuesday, so they should be perfect by then.



I cut some yellow blooms from my garden. The yellow bells and golden thryallis make wonderful filler for arrangements.



I filled the silver squirrel dish with the faux acorns and started to place some of the pumpkins across the shawl. I only used the white ones. I didn't like the typical orange pumpkin color with the shawl.



I liked that the bag had a nice mix of plain white pumpkins and some with a dark green and gold in the veins. I scattered more acorns across the pumpkins and the shawl and about the large silver tray.



I mixed in a few purple asters to give a little punch of color. I think the color of the lilies compliments the shawl. I love the deep color of the center as it fades to a lighter orange.



The shawl is beautiful handwoven cotton with deep rich colors.



Mr. Squirrel is very happy with his new found bounty. I think he's set for winter!



Perhaps he'll share with all his brothers and sisters who enjoy our backyard.



I love the look of the contrast within the group of pumpkins and the acorns scattered among them.


Found this little squirrel with his own acorn at Hobby Lobby. Decided he would fit right in.



So there you have it....a simple fall tableau for our dining room table.



Sarah
Sarah

The summer we married, my husband was in graduate school, and I was employed as a teacher. We took a portion of our savings that summer and purchased a sailboat. We christened our Catalina 22, “Hyacinths For The Soul” after Saadi’s poem. Our "Hyacinths" provided years of pleasure.

46 comments:

  1. Hi Sarah,
    It's all beautiful! I especially love Mr. Squirrel's acorns, well, I love it all. Nature is amazing and it's so great you're embracing it on your table. Happy night!
    xo~Tracie

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  2. What a lovely centerpiece! I really like your use of different textures, and how you included your beautiful silver pieces, too! The little squirrel is a cute finishing touch, too! Take care, *Becca*

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  3. Hi Sarah, What a pretty centerpiece. I love the silver bowl with the squirrel and the acorns. Beautiful!
    Hugs, Sherry

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  4. Sarah, thanks so much for sharing this older post. I had not seen it since it was before my blogging days. I love it and love those cute squirrels. I had one like the one on the pinecone last year and it fell and broke. I loved that squirrel. Thanks for joining my party.

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  5. Such a gorgeous vignette! I love the little squirrel!!!Thanks for stopping by my blog and for the nice comment!

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  6. Lovin' your squirrel-y centerpiece Sarah! You get extra points for having the Halloween decorations packed away... still working up to that myself, maybe I'll take the tree down tomorrow morning:@)

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  7. What a beautiful vignette - I don't remember seeing it when you posted on it before. Thanks for sharing it again.
    Enjoy your evening.

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  8. Miss Sarah,

    Well everything is just beautiful! The shawl's colors are so perfect and the squirrel and acorns are precious! What a great idea to use a silver tray to place everything on. I love lillies and that gorgeous centerpiece you made. I spied a book we both have...La Fonda San Miguel! On one of our trips to Austin we purchased this wonderful book...it's one of our all time favorite restaurants. In 1976 we first discovered it as newlyweds. I graduated from high school in Austin and went to UT and then lived there 2 years after marriage. I still have some Longhorn in me even though I'm in Soonerland now! LOL.
    Loved the post and your fall decor!

    Miss Bloomers

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  9. Thinking of a pashmina was a great idea.. Perfect..Such talent..

    It's so nice to see all these wonderful ideas come to fruition:)

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  10. Oh how beautiful. I love your tutorial. Your scarf and the silver are just a wonderful basis for your vignette, and then the flowers, gourds, acorns and the little squirrel are just so perfect. Love it. Thanks so much for linking to TTT. Hugs, Marty

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  11. What a wonderful centerpiece. I love vignettes on a tray also. Love the squirrels and acorns and pumpkins!

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  12. This is beautiful Sarah, and if I saw it last year, I don't remember it (that memory thing is becoming a real problem with me). Love that silver squirrel container, and I agree with you - bright silver would not have worked nearly as well. Your bride's basket is so pretty, and love the squirrel from H.L. laurie

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  13. Hi Sarah! OH, your centerpiece is beautiful! I love how you've shown how you built it up! Love your silver tray and the little addition of the tiny squirrel is just perfect.
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  14. Hi Sarah....How pretty this table scape is...the colors are beautiful...nice touch with that little bit of purple and it all looks so wonderful on your DR table....

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  15. Hi Sarah - The vignette looks like it came out of an old world painting! It's just beautiful. Love the whole thing! :)Nancy
    ps I'm by Austin and it's chilly and rainy - I hope you're getting some fall weather also!

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  16. To tell the truth, I was soooo glad to pack up Halloween and simplify. It seems that Fall decor is up for such a short time so I keep it simple.

    I love your idea of using a tray so it is mobile. I am going to give that a try. The Pashmina shawl is fabulous and I would never have thought to use that but it is the perfect piece. You are very talented. All of the textures and interest, I would love to sit at that table and my eye would be devouring this the whole time.

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  17. Sarah...everything you do girl you do with class...I have always loved coming by here...Hugs and smiles to you my Dear friend and thanks for coming by to see me...Gl♥ria

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  18. Hi Sarah...

    My friend, your autumn tableau is gorgeous! I just adore silver...you have some really beautiful pieces here! I love, love, LOVE the piece with the little squirrel...how adorable! Ohhh...and the bride's basket...gorgeous...and sooo very pretty with your bouquet of fresh flowers! Such a beautiful display...the rich, deep colors of the scarf...and the contrast of the white pumpkins...ahhh!!! You have such a great eye for design and detail, Sarah! Thank you for sharing your fabulous table centerpiece with us today!

    Warmest autumn wishes,
    Chari @Happy To Design

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  19. How beautiful. I loved watching it come together!
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  20. Sarah, I love the sheer "peskiness and cunning" of squirrels. Silly little creatures. This is a beautiful display! You're right, we don't get big changes around here. So we have to make up for it ourselves. Great idea with the lilies!
    Brenda

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  21. I looks lovely, Sarah! I remember this wonderful post! I need to tell you how much I have enjoyed all of your posts with your whimsical Halloween decor! You have such a terrific collection of unusual things...especially the witchy Quimper! Your friends and family must really enjoy visiting your home and seeing all of the wonderful seasonal decorations! I am looking froward to seeing ore of your fall decor! Hope you are having a great week!...hugs...Debbie

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  22. It's beautiful. As I watched it all unfold, I loved it more and more.

    I want a squirrel! I'm going to HL to see if they have any.

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  23. Hi Sarah,
    I loved rereading this post, your table vignette is just a beautiful now as it was when you shared it with us all last fall.
    Maggie

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  24. Hmmmm... I think that lovely vignette would look excellent on my dining room table. Would you mind sending it over please?

    :)
    ButterYum

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  25. Oh, Sarah! This is a WONDERFUL vignette. I love every bit of it, and that squirrel on the silver... how wonderful! And that other cute one from Hobby Lobby and the beautiful Egyptian scarf! Perfect.

    Love what you did here.

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  26. What a gorgeous Fall vignette, Sarah!
    Just as pretty the second time around, too.

    Have a wonderful Wednesday!
    Hugs,
    Anne

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  27. Sarah~ I love your silver urn with the squirrel perched on the side! All the details from the acorns to the pumpkins with the shawl draped across your tray, make for the perfect fall centerpiece :-)

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  28. What and classy arrangement! Love the urn full of acorns!!!! It is all so stunning!!!

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  29. You've made a beautiful and elegant fall tableau, Sarah. I love the use of the shawl - it warms it up perfectly.

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  30. I love, love, love your vignette, Sarah! It's fabulous! You have the prettiest silverware....Christine

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  31. This is just lovely!
    Jenny
    www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com

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  32. So glad I found you through Laurie at Bargain Hunting. It would have taken me a bit longer going thru Kim's Party because I have to savor every one. Your blog of ideas looks like such fun and I'll be back often.
    Carol

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  33. Great job, and love the squirrels!!

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  34. what a goreous centerpiece, i love all the natural elements and your squirrel is adorable~

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  35. Sarah...your vignette is gorgeous. You did a fantastic job!

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  36. Gorgeous, simply gorgeous. You did an outstanding job putting all of it together. Seems like every piece is just where it belongs. I love it.

    Thank you for stopping by my little corner. Glad you liked the chirp dishes. A girl can dream, right. ;)

    Much love!

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  37. Can you hear me laughing, Sarah? I remember this post SO well from last year & my futile attempt to send you some Ohio acorns. LOL

    I'm STILL in love with your beautiful brides basket vase....so pretty!

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  38. That squirrel dish is adorable!! And, I really love the way you draped the cloth across the platter.

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  39. That looks lovely, Sarah. A wonderful touch of Fall for you in TX!
    If you need any leaves, I have a few tons!

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  40. This is really beautiful! I didn't see it last year and glad I didn't miss it this year. Great post!

    I'm dealing with some health issues and I'm very behind in blogging and commenting.

    Katherine

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  41. Hi Sarah:

    I know this is from last year, but I realized I had never seen it before. It looks wonderful and I love how you brought us through it, step by step. I'm sure it won't be long 'til you're whipping something like this up for this year - perhaps with a French flair?

    - The Tablescaper

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Thank you to each of you who take the time to leave a comment. I read and appreciate each and every one and will respond to any questions. Your notes are the only way I know who has stopped in for a visit.